Chapter 956: The Big Shot Behind Karami

Karami's global debut fashion release event was held at the Capital in Northfield. The influence of high-end luxury brands was undeniable in any upper-class circle, worldwide. Tonight's banquet featured a small, prestigious guest list of influential leaders from various fields.

That afternoon, Susan arrived early at the Capital with Manuel. She first visited Oscar's courtyard. Lately, she'd been visiting more frequently because of Salem, but each time, she felt an unsettling connection between Oscar and Hannah's death. Yet, seeing Oscar's distress strangely balanced this feeling; a strange internal conflict remained.

"Auntie!" Una, watching television in the living room, rushed over excitedly. Manuel instinctively shielded Susan, anticipating a possible collision.

"Una," Susan patted Una's head. "Where's Salem?" Salem remained her top priority, regardless of Una's endearing nature.

"Sal's still doing homework," Una replied in a childish voice. "Teacher hasn't finished class yet."

"Oh," Susan said softly.

Oscar's approach to educating his children differed sharply—Salem was rigorously trained as an heir, while Una was allowed to grow up carefree. Although traditional values suggest boys should shoulder greater responsibility, the burden on young Salem troubled Susan. Why couldn't things be less demanding?

Restless, Susan sat on the sofa, increasingly eager to rescue Salem from his studies.

"Don't worry," Manuel reassured her gently, sensing her anxiety. "My cousin knows how to assign homework reasonably."

Susan snorted, rolling her eyes sarcastically. "Of course, you'll defend your family."

"Sal's my nephew," Manuel replied helplessly. Compared to their own youthful hardships under his cousin's tutelage, Salem's current situation paled in significance.

"Oh hey! You guys came early!" Theodore greeted them loudly from the doorway, sharply dressed as usual for important occasions.

"Nice outfit?" Theodore approached Susan, a smug look on his face. Susan stared; his flamboyance seemed to be intensifying.

"Karami haute couture?!" Susan, a connoisseur of fashion, instantly recognized the suit.

"Not bad taste!" Theodore beamed.

"This suit isn't released yet?!" She was astonished he already possessed it.

"It's releasing today. Karami sent it this morning," Theodore boasted.

Susan was speechless. Karami's attention was significant; the brand never favored anyone based on status. Its mysterious owner, rumored to be from a royal family, commanded respect and influence wherever they went.

"Attending the Karami party tonight?" Susan asked.

"They sent me clothes. I have to go," Theodore continued his self-congratulatory remarks.

Susan rolled her eyes.

"Oh, Oscar's going too," Theodore added, basking in his own importance.

"Oscar's attending?!" Susan was shocked.

"Oscar's a charmer. Isn't it natural?" Theodore sneered condescendingly.

"But isn't he always busy?"

"Even iron men need rest," Theodore retorted.

"Is the rumour about Karami's owner's astonishing background true?" Susan, ever curious, pressed.

"When would I tell you something like that?"

"Theodore, you're evasive!"

"Ask Manuel," he deflected, shifting the blame.

"He knows?!"

"He knows everything," Theodore laughed. Manuel's access to confidential government websites made this claim plausible.

Susan turned to Manuel, who pursed his lips, betrayed by Theodore.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Susan demanded.

Manuel's silence had prompted her line of questioning. She wondered if he was mocking her.

"I only know a little," Manuel excused himself. "And I haven't been involved in many national events, so my information might be inaccurate."

"Manuel, are you hiding something?" Susan was angry.

"It's not a big deal!"

"Manuel!" Susan's voice rose.

"Lower your voice, the baby might be sleeping," Manuel said.

"Manuel!" Susan's voice rose again.

Una, watching TV, looked over curiously. Manuel glanced at Theodore, who seemed to relish their argument. Surrendering, Manuel conceded, "Well, it's not a simple background."

"How complicated?" Susan asked.

"Like the rumors. Royalty."

"Which country?"

"Jolencami."

"Jolencami? Karami! I should have guessed!" Susan slapped her forehead. "Who's the boss? The king?!"

"The queen," Manuel replied.

"Queen Carol?!" Susan exclaimed. This internationally influential woman, known for her global charity work in women's rights, medical internationalization, and cultural heritage protection, was widely praised in foreign media.

Manuel nodded.

"No wonder she's always so fashionably overdone at events! She's Karami's secret boss!" Susan exclaimed, thrilled with her discovery.

"Don't tell anyone," Manuel said seriously. "Few people know this secret."

"How did you find out?"

Theodore laughed. (He'd hacked their internal website.)

"Oscar told me," Manuel fabricated.

"Oscar's a gossip too," Susan concluded.

Theodore mused that living with Susan's simplicity wasn't easy either.